Ephesians 1:11-14 What is the Message of Truth?

 

Ephesians 1:11-14

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Why is the Gospel called the message of truth?

What is the inheritance that the Holy Spirit guarantees?

Resources:

Sealed by the Spirit

livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/ephesians_019_1_11_14_sealed_by_the_holy_spirit.mp3

Love versus Pride

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.

2 Timothy 3:1-8

3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 6 They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses.

They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.

What is the opposite of the agape love of God?

How do the fruits of love differ from the fruits of pride?

Resources:

Pride

https://96tolife.blogspot.com/search?q=Pride&m=1

God's Love for You

 

John 3:16-17

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 2:12

12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us

How is God's love different from the love mankind has for each other?

What have we received from God because of His love for us?

Resources:

Relationship with God

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/gospel_of_john_012_3_16_36_relationship_with_god_ext.mp3

If Jesus isn't God, you have the wrong Jesus (and the wrong God)

Hello everyone,

I haven't shared anything in writing in a long time. Therefore, I thought I would share an interaction I had recently on my YouTube channel (96tolife) with a viewer who disagreed with a short video I made where I concluded that if Jesus isn't God, you have the wrong Jesus (and the wrong God). The viewer who disagreed with me replied with the following:

"If you think Jesus is God the YOU have the wrong God.

If Jesus is God then why did he say "I am going back to MY GOD and MY FATHER ? WHO is the God of Jesus, and what is his name, when you find the answer to that question then you will see the TRUTH behind WHO God is ! Jesus backed up that belief when in prayer to his heavenly father said, "This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. John 17: 3. Notice how he calls his father the ONLY TRUE GOD! The first century Christians taught the same when they preached for example 1 Cor 15: 24-28 where we see in Vs 24 that Jesus has a GOD AND FATHER and that in Vs 28 he SUBJECTS himself to his God & Father! SOME do say however, that Jesus does address God as his God and his father because he was A MAN however one of the clearest scripture which shows that Jesus is NOT God is Rev 3:12 where we see Jesus as NOT a man but back in heaven: "The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. New International Version So, please read Rev 1:1 which says: "a revelation from Jesus which GOD GAVE HIM" So WHO is the God Of Jesus, and what is his name ?"

MY RESPONSE IS BELOW

@96tolife 

 

Let's see: In Revelation 1:17-18, Jesus is speaking to John. What does He say to John? 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Jesus says, "I am the First and the Last." The first and the last is God. Jesus goes on to say, "I was dead." When did the First and the Last (God) die? On the cross. Jesus finishes by saying, "I am alive for ever and ever." How could God die and be alive forever? Because of the resurrection. In John 10:32-33, it says, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” The life of Jesus is threatened because they said that He, "a mere man, claim to be God." But Jesus never said they were wrong for their claim. If Jesus is not God, what better time was there to correct this idea that He was God than when He was being threatened with death for claiming to be God? In John 20:28-29, it reads, "28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas calls Jesus God. Did Jesus correct Him and say He was not God? No, rather, He affirms Thomas' claim by saying, "Because you have seen, you have believed..." Seen what? The once dead Jesus is now alive. Believed what? That Jesus is God. Jesus goes on to say, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Who are those who have not seen? People like me and all the Christians who came after this point in history. What do we believe? The same thing as Thomas, that Jesus is our Lord and God! In Matthew 1:22-23, he wrote, "22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)." If Jesus wasn't God, why did Matthew say Jesus would be called Immanuel, which means God with us? Nowhere do we read where this statement is refuted. In Isaiah 9:6, it says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Who is the child that would be born? Jesus. Who is the son that would be given? Jesus. What will Jesus be called? Mighty God and Everlasting Father! Was Isaiah lying? In Hebrews 1:5, 8, it says, "For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?... But about the Son, he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom." We see clearly that God the Father is talking about His Son. What does God the Father say about Jesus in verse 8? He says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever..." God the Father calls Jesus God, whose throne will last forever. In John 2:18-22, it says, "18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken." What sign did Jesus tell the people that He would give them in verse 19? He says, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." What temple was He referring to? Verse 21 says, "But the temple he had spoken of was His body." If Jesus is not God, how could he have promised that He would raise Himself from the grave? Mere men cannot resurrect themselves. Only God can bring life to the dead! In Philippians 2:6-7, it says, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." What does verse 6 say about the nature of Jesus? It says He, "being in very nature God..." How can Jesus have the same nature as God if He is not God? And, if that isn't clear enough, the verse continues by saying that Jesus "did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage..." It says that Jesus was equal to God! Who is equal to God? It's God! There is only one God, and Jesus is equal to Him; that makes Jesus God! Then in verse 7, it says that Jesus "made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." If Jesus is just a man and not God, why does the verse say that Jesus "made Himself nothing" by "being made in human likeness"? Does a man make himself a man? Does a man need to be made in human likeness? No. That wouldn't make sense. Jesus had to be something else to make Himself human. He was God made flesh! That is why John 1:1, 14 says, "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." If in the beginning the "Word was God" and the "Word became flesh," that means God became flesh! When did God become flesh? When Jesus was born! i.e., Immanuel, which means "God with us." 2 Peter 1:1 says, "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ ..." Peter knew Jesus personally and called Jesus "our God and Savior." Am I to say Peter was mistaken? No, I'm not. Titus 2:13 says, "Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ..." Was Paul mistaken when he said he was waiting for "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"? You don't accidentally refer to Jesus as your God. Colossians 1:15-16 says, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." In verse 15, Jesus is described as the "image of the invisible God." So, Jesus is the physical version of God, which means He is God. The verse says that Jesus is the "firstborn over all creation," which speaks to His preexistence and the authority He has as God. Some say this is evidence that Jesus was created. However, verse 16 says that in Christ "all things were created..." IfJesus was created, then you have to say that God the Father created Jesus through Jesus. That doesn't make any sense. Furthermore, if Jesus is just a man and not God, why would Paul say that "things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him"? Again, that doesn't make sense if Jesus is not God. Romans 9:5 says, "To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen." Who does Paul say is "God over all"? Christ. Who is Christ? Jesus! I could go on and on, but I don't believe it will make a difference. Once people make up their minds on subjects like this, only God can change it. This will be the end of this. I'm not going back and forth endlessly with these enormous posts that only end in more division. P.S. As for who the God of Jesus is, maybe this will help. Does Jesus have a God?

What Does It Mean To Live Holy?

Ephesians 1: 3-5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-

1 Peter 1:14-16

14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.

Colossians 3:12-13

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

What is holiness?

How do Christians live holy?

Resources:

Being Holy 1 of 2

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/ephesians_009_1_4_being_holy_1.mp3

Exodus 19:16-25 A Personal Relationship with God

 

Exodus 19:16-25 16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. 20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’” 24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them. Were the Israelites able to enjoy a personal relationship with God? Does your relationship with God look more like that of the Israelites? Resources: Having a Relationship with God https://www.livinggodministries.net/living god ministries/radio_archive/relationship_with_god.htm

The Acceptance of God

 

Ephesians 1:6

"... to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the beloved."

Is God's acceptance of Christians conditional or unconditional?

What does God's assurance have to do with the eternal security of the believer?

Resources:

Blessing of Acceptance

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living.god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/ephesians_012_1_6_blessing_of_acceptance.mp3

A New Heart

 

Hebrews 8:10

"This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people"

This verse was used to support that Christians are still obligated to obey the law, at least the Ten Commandments. Let's explore what this verse means and others like it that talk about God's promise to give us a new heart.

What does it mean for God to give us a new heart?

Does God write the Ten Commandments on our hearts?

Resources:

Obsolete

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/hebrews_33_ch8_6_13_o

bsolete.mp3

2 Peter 3:18 Growing In Grace

2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen." How do we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ? What is the new way of life available to us through the grace of God? Resources: How will the grace of God guide us? https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/grace_ungodliness.htm

Hebrews 10:11-14 One Sacrifice For All Time

 

Hebrews 10:11-14 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. How many times did Jesus need to die for your sins? Is there any sin left that you need to deal with? Resources: Why Forgiveness Is Important https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/hebrews_40_ch10_11_27_why_forgiveness_is_important.mp3

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 Baptized Into Christ

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

Is it more important to know who baptizes us or what we are baptized in?

Were we all given water to drink or something else?

Resources:

Baptism of the Spirit 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/baptism_14_24kbps_baptism_of_the_spirit.mp3

Giving His Life To You

 

Why is the resurrection so important? 

What do most Christians miss about the resurrection? 

Is there such a thing as a half Gospel?

Key Verses:

Genesis 2:7

Genesis 2:16-17

John 1:29

2 Corinthians 5:19

1 John 2:2

Romans 5:10

Resources:

What is the Gospel?

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/the_gospel.htm

Romans 7:4-6 Dead To The Law

 

Romans 7:4-6

4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

What does it mean that we have died to the law?

How does this relate to those who say that Christians are still under the law?

Resources:

Fruit for God

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/romans_42_fruit_for_god_7_4_6.mp3